Louvretec has just entered its 20th year. When we look back, we sometimes find it hard to believe how our once small family-owned business that started in our home has grown.
What inspired us
In 1997, we realised that there was no company in New Zealand that offered optimal solutions for weather protection and sun and wind control. People’s most valuable asset is their homes and we were looking to cater to this aspect of home improvement while adding value and giving them a sense of security, privacy along with great aesthetics.
Why Louvre roofs and louvres
We would often want to sit outside on our deck and enjoy the sunshine but some days it was too hot and the sun too harsh. We thought it would be nice to have an adjustable roof over us which could let in just the right amount of light but keep out the glare. There was no such product available in New Zealand at the time so we filled this gap in the home improvement market.
How we got started
We worked from our home and in 1999, launched our first opening roof and sun louvre. Our first employee was our son who was an MBA graduate and we all worked seven days a week, we built Louvretec from the ground up. Our target market back then was architects and we received a lot of feedback while explaining and showcasing the concept to them.
Spurred on by the success of our first launch and job orders and by gaining some valuable insights, the company started to grow. We moved operations out of our home and into a converted barn on the North Shore. A year later, we made the decision to lease commercial premises to eventually buying our current factories and office space in Albany.
Every step of the way, we keep innovating, staying one step ahead and creating new products that will improve our clients' home or building.
Louvretec today
Clients who drop in at Louvretec often comment on the positive vibe that is always going around. Our greatest asset is our employees and we all work together well which increases our productivity. Our customers and their needs are what inspires us the most and it is with their satisfaction in mind that we continue on this journey. We love it when client's talk about their 'Louvretec'.
From our first Opening Closing Roof and sun louvre launched in 1999, we now offer seven different styles of Opening Roofs and thirty sizes of sun louvres. Louvretec, which was once just an idea, has grown into a market leader in the home improvement sector both in New Zealand and Australia and is available worldwide.